A Gift Received and Given
“I prayed for this child, and the LORD granted my request. Now I, in turn, give him to the LORD;
as long as he lives, he shall be dedicated to the LORD.”1 Samuel 24:27-28
If you were to ask God for something for a very long time and He one day give it to you, what would you do? I imagine you would thank God, praise Him, and treasure and cherish this gift for which you have longed. But I guess if we take a closer look at the word “gift,” not only does it imply an initial giver and receiver, but the receiver in turn also becomes a giver. What am I trying to say? A gift in its truest sense is meant to be received, yes, but also given, even if we ourselves have longed for it.
It always moves my heart when I read or hear about Hannah’s story. Hannah ceaselessly prays for a son and when God grants her a son, Samuel, she gives thanks, praises and dedicates him to the Lord. After praying all that time for a son, she receives one and then she gives him back to the Lord. To some people Hannah might appear crazy or foolish, and at first she might appear so, but with time and through the lens of faith we come to see that Hannah truly embraced the gift of God, and in embracing it, she dedicated that gift to Him. All gifts are meant to be given, even if it has been given to us.
Hannah’s story can also be read with Mary’s. Both Hannah and Mary received the gift of a son, and they both praised God. If we look closely at the “Magnificat” of Mary, her song of praise, “My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord…” it looks very similar to Hannah’s “My heart exults in the Lord…” Both received the gift of a son, and both presented them and offered them to God. Only in giving did they truly receive. By dedicating her son to the Lord, Hannah and her husband were blessed with five more children (1 Sam. 2:21) and Samuel became a great prophet, and by Mary giving up her Son over to the will of God, we have received the forgiveness of sins, the gift of our salvation, and the hope of eternal life. When one gives what has been freely gifted to them, one will receive and gain more not simply for oneself but for others too.
What are some gifts the Lord has given to us? Have we been good stewards of them? Have we put them to good use? A gift is only a gift inasmuch as it is given. Are there any gifts or talents the Lord has given to me that I have used only for myself and not for others? May we this day ask the Lord to give us the grace and courage to offer up the many gifts He has given to us for the good of the people and for the greater glory of God.
Hannah Giving Her Son Samuel to the Priest, 1645, Jan Victors
